Georgia Bulldogs vs Texas Christian Horned Frogs Box Score on Dec 30, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Dec 30, 2016

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- When running back Chubb recently announced his plans to return for his senior year, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Folllwing his performance in Friday's 31-23 win over TCU in the Liberty Bowl, it's easy to see why. Chubb rushed 17 times for 142 yards and a game-clinching touchdown, giving Smart what he hopes is the first of many bowl victories to come.

The Bulldogs finish the season at 8-5.

It wasn't easy. Down by two points, a 30-yard field goal by Rodrigo Blankenship put Georgia back up 24-23 with 13:27 remaining before Chubb's score with 2:48 left finally gave the Bulldogs (8-5) enough cushion to fend off the Horned Frogs (6-7).

TCU was paced by quarterback Kenny Hill, who completed 18 of 27 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns, both going to John Diarse.

For Georgia, Jacob Eason finsihed 12 of 21 for 164 yards and two scores -- one each to Javon Wims and Sony Michel, who accounted for two of Georgia's four touchdowns.

Defensively, Trenton Thompson was a force that the Horned Frogs struggled to contain as he accounted for a Liberty Bowl-record three sacks, the last of which forced TCU to reach for a long field goal with Georgia clinging to its 24-23 lead.

TCU led 16-14 at the half, with Georgia drawing within two on a 4-yard run by Michel with 4:12 left in the second.

On the ensuing kick, KaVonte Turpin brought the ball back 50 yards to midfield with just over one minute left, only to have Lorenzo Carter strip the ball from Hill and into the hands of Aaron Davis to give Georgia a final opportunity with 30 seconds left before half.

Earlier, Michel put Georgia up 7-0 on a 4-yard run after a great play by Eason in which he avoided pressure to complete a pass to Isaiah McKenzie, who turned it into a 77-yard gain.

But back came the Horned Frogs with 16 straight points, first getting a 40-yard field from Brandon Hatfield before taking the lead on a 10-yard run by Hill.

The extra point failed, keeping the score at 9-7, but after a fumble by Eason, TCU quickly drove 16 yards with Hill hitting Diarse for a 10-yard touchdown and a 16-7 lead.

NOTES: Nick Chubb surpassed Todd Gurley for No. 2 on Georgia's all-time rushing list. ... The Liberty Bowl marked TCU's 14th bowl appearance in 16 seasons under Gary Patterson. ... Wims' touchdown catch to put Georgia up 21-16 was the first career for the junior college transfer.